Should Pickleball Cheaters Be Voted Off of PPA Island?

Instead of high-tech AI line-calling cameras or league-wide deterrence policies, maybe pro pickleball's cheating problem just needs some reality TV-style justice.

While it may be hyperbolic to lament pro pickleball's "cheating problem," it's unrealistic to expect players to call their own lines during matches for the long-term, especially as the pace of the game only gets faster, more explosive and unpredictable.

Hooking, or intentionally making a bad call in your own favor, happens to some degree in every pro event these days. Sometimes, it's downright egregious.

It's a problem that's going to continue without a new system, especially as pros' payouts are now weighted more heavily towards prize money rather than guaranteed salaries.

This is not to say the powers that be aren't actively addressing this. They are.

The PPA Tour recently instated a Fining Committee to more formally assess and levy punishments for a broad spectrum of on-court behavior. And AI is being layered onto existing court cameras in Major League Pickleball to more accurately determine line calls, foot faults, and more.

In the meantime, however, PicklePod co-host Nico the Lefty has another idea.

This is Lord of the Flies. Hunger Games with paddles and sweatbands. Pickleball justice, "Survivor"-style.

"I actually kind of like that," co-host Zane Navratil responded.

Perhaps this would hold some of the bad actors, the repeat offenders, to more account? Keep them in line? Turn them into model citizens on and off the court?

Watch the clip, below:

What Can Actually Be Done?

The guys are, of course, joking here. But the prevailing issue of bad lines calls in pro pickleball is no laughing matter.

More line judges aren't the answer, says Zane. There's no good place to put them and, at the end of the day, you're still relying on a pair of human eyes to determine, in real time and at incredibly high speeds, the placement of a ball within millimeters.

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A deterrence policy could work, adds Zane, with escalating fines for repeat offenders. This would need to be formalized at the league level, though.

In the end, it's a big, complex issue that needs to be sorted out before pro pickleball can take the next big step toward full-scale sports betting, mega brand sponsorships, major media deals, and (we hope) Olympic aspirations.

If all else fails, maybe we just start voting the worst offenders off of Pickleball Island after all?

Watch the full episode of the PicklePod, below: